Customer Reviews

Revolutions of 1848

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The problem with most history textbooks is that all too often the story is left out of the text. A collection of names, dates, and facts is what is left. Priscilla Robertson has done an exemplary job of avoiding such a failing. While providing the necessary names, dates, and places so that one is able to visualize the story being built, Ms. Robertson has provided an outstanding assessment of these events.

The story of 1848, as is told in this book, is one of the people recognizing the need for change, but in many cases not being influential enough either in terms of physical power or in terms of political power to affect the change for a long period of time. In many respects, the story can be viewed as describing the necessity for the citizens to be able to protect themselves from an oppressive government, though in some cases, it can be citizens needing to protect themselves from each other.

This book, as is pointed in the preface, does not focus on the details on the constitutions, individual leaders, or battles, but rather provides a rich account of how people when inspired by a dream or a vision, even one that is unsustainable, can rise up and let the world know that change must occur.

The topic might seem esoteric and so limited in scope but 1848 was a year in which just about all of Europe erupted in liberal (and more radical) revolution. This book carefully tells the story of each country that had a rebellion, down to the number of barricades in Paris and where they got the material for them! Participants famous and no longer famous are given careful consideration and Robertson captures the spirit of the times and the excitement of people experimenting with new ideas of how their societies should be organized. The typeface may make this book seem old but the ideas still seem fresh. It is a good read beyond being a helpful guide through this period for any history class that you might take or teach that covers this time.

This is the way history should be written. Robertson puts the reader in the middle of the explosive drama that unfolded all across Europe. All of the major players come to life : from Louis Philippe clinging to the old order in France to Manin's dream of a Venetian republic. This book is also excellent background for anyone who wants to understand the rise of Bismarck and the unification of Germany.

Robertson's social history of 1848 is a fascinating look at an overlooked era in European history. I didn't even know that 1848 was a significant year until I saw her book at a local bookstore. Apparently, revolution rocked Europe from France to Hungary, sparing only Britain (although Robertson focuses on a very minor revolt in Ireland) and Russia (where it was way too oppressive to even think of a revolution). Ms. Robertson presents the period from the idealists who began each revolution and the people who worked tirelessly to repress them. I really liked the way the presented the major players as human beings, with both good and bad points. Even the aristocrats who brought down all the revolutions are presented in both good and bad lights. The book is not too dry, being easy to read throughout. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in European history, or are just curious about the tragedies that were the revolutions of 1848.